Method of atomizing solid medicaments.



G. FUSCH.

METHOD OP ATOMIZING SOLID MEDIGAMENTS.

- APPLICATION FILED DBO. 8, 1908. 928,038.

Patented July 13, 1909.

UNITED STATES GUSTAV FUSOH, HANOVER, GERMANY.

METHOD OF ATOMIZING SOLID MEDICAMENTS.

To all. whom it may concern:

Be it' known that I, GUsTAv FUscH,a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing in Hanover, Germany, (whose post-ofiice address is No. 2 Alleestrasse,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Atomizing Solid Medicaments, of' which the following is a full', true, and concise specification.

The invention is a method of atomizing liquid solutions, and particularly medicinal solutions, for use in the treatment of disease by inhalation.

It has heretofore been customaryl to produce an atmosphere impregnated with finely divided by means of ordinary spray or atomizing nozzles which are operated within a closed tre'atmentchamber wherein the patient is confined. In such cases, a large percentage of the medicine thus atomized is found to combine or condense into small drops, which are wasted, so that the intended separation and distribution of the solution does not take place. I

The present invention aims to increase the fineness and promote the dryness of the atomized spray lso that the formation `of the drops is avoided and the solid component of the medicinal solution is converted into an extremely subdivided and practically dry dust-like condition, in which it is, dispersed in the chamber. The treatment is thus more effectively and agreeably applied.

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a form of apparatus adapted to carry on the new process, andFig: 2 is a longitudinal sectional capable of use therewith.

The method consists in putting the liquid view of a 'spraymg or atomizing instrument solution under pressure of the solid medicament beforeit reaches the spraying or atomizing instrument and also heating` it to a' temperature somewhat above its normal or atmospheric boiling point, and preferably to a temperature approximating its boiling point at'the pressure to which it is thus subjected, so that on issuing from its outlet in the atomizing instrument the pressure thereon is relieved and the excess of heat produces an instantaneous evaporation of the liquid. In this manner the atomized articles are relieved of the greater part, i not all, of their liquid and are converted into a 'dry dust-like condition, especially suited for` suspension in the atmosphere of the treating Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed December s, 190s.

atomized particlesof the medicine.

Patented July 13, 1909. serial No. 466,436.

chamber, as will be obvious to those skilled inthis art. The extent of the pressureand the amount of heat applied to the liquid are the factors which control the dryness of the \produced spray and jmay be regulated or proportioned accordingly, having regard to the strength of the solution employed.

The method, as will be observed from the foregoing description, may be performed with or by a variety of formsyof apparatus. The drawing forming a part hereof illustrates, partly in diagram, a simple form of apparatus suited for the purpose.

The liquid solution from a receptacle 1 is put under pressure by the pump 2 and conducted througha pipe 3 to a heating-coil 4 and thence to the atomizing instrument 5. The coil may be heated by any suitable means, and the atomizing instrument ma consist of any simple form of atomizing def vice. In one form of apparatus the said instrument comprises an inner nozzle 6 connected with the liquid pipe and provided with a somewhat restricted outlet. The outer 'casing 7 serves as an outer nozzle, which is concentric to the inner nozzle and is connected by the pipe 8 to a source of compressed air, not shown. A spiral defiector 9 is disposed in the annular space between the inner and outer nozzles, so that the air thereby receives a Whirlingmotion, which tends to facilitate the expansion and dispersion of the sprayed' particles, .in a manner which will be apparent to those versed in this art. As illust-rated Fig. 1, the nozzles are shown for convenience as plain spray nozzles of any desired type not employing compressed air.

\ The liquid medicinal solution, say va saturated solution of sodium chlorid in Water or nearly saturatedis charged in the supply receptacle and put under pressure 1n 'the pipe 3 and its connections, whereln 1t is heated to a. temperature above the normal atmospheric boiling temperature of the particular solution, the pressureexerted by the pump being sufiicient to prevent boiling of the solution within. the p1pe or heater coll. Upon passing through the spray-nozzles 5 the sudden relief of the pressure produces a violent and sudden ebullitionof the llquid with consequent vaporization taking 'place while the liquid is in the process of dlspersion under the effect of the atomizing instrument so that the moisture at first accompanylng the atomized particles is presently evaporated and the solid residue is launched into the air-treating room in a finely divided and very drystate.

I claim as my invention the following 1. A method of atomizing liquid solutions of a solid medicament, which consists in putting the said solution under pressure and heating it to a temperature above its boiling point in the atmosphere and then-suddenly relieving the pressure on said liquid while dischargingl it through an atomizing. instrument, whereby the moisture of the solution is evaporated by the expansion and the solid residue of said solution is projected in a dry impal able state.

2. method of atomizing liquid solutions of a solid medicament, which consists in putting the said solution under pressure and heatinvF it to a temperature approximating the boiling point of that liquid at the particular pressure and then relieving the said pressure while discharging the liquid through an atomizing instrument whereby the moisture of the solution is evaporated by the eX- pansion and the solid residue of said solution is projected in a dry impalpable state.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name t0 the specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAV FUSCH.

Witnesses i J. M. BowoooK, LUISJE KATHER; 

